Combination switch handle and seal



1943 A. D. BULLERJAHN ,9

COMBINATION SWITCH HANDLE AND SEAL Filed July 10, 1942 BY X/MWWMMZ ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 23,

UNIT-ED STATES PATENT OFFICE cormnwrron swrrcn more r m) sen.

Adolph n. amurmm. Milwaukee, wa. Application July '10, 1942, Serial No. 450,393

scum (cam-112) This invention is a combination handle andseal for electric switches. One object of the invention is practical and convenient means which facilitates the manual actuation of the switch and also serves to seal the same whereby to render the switch splash-proof, waterproof and fume-proof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character having the advantages and capacities mentioned but which is so constituted that of itself it does not bias orinfluence the action of the switch or impede or oppose the operators control thereover.

A further object of thejnvention is to provide a combination switch handle and seal of this character which is of *unhary construction, preferably of molded rubber, rubber composition, or modern plastic composition, the material being such that it is waterproof and impervious to gas as well as' chemically inert. Another essential property of the material constituting the device is that it is suitably flexible or elastic'so that the operator's control over the switch positions remains unimpaired. A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is so constituted and organized that the manipulation of the switch will not stretch the material of which the device is made, the material merely flexing and being relieved of fatiguing stresses and strains. 'Other objects and advantages reside in certain novel featuresof the construction, arrangement,

- and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal vertical cross-section showing a lever throw switch equipped with a combination handle and seal embodying the present invention with the switch being shown in offi position.

Figure -2 is a fragmentary view similar to Figure 1 but illustrating the action of the combination handle and seal when the switch is thrown to one of its "on positions.

Figure 3 is a view in front elevation of the combination handle and seal embodying the present invention.

Figure 4 is a view thereof in rear elevation!v and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the combines to provide a I tion handle and seal embodying the present invention.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral l0 designates a box-like housing or enclosure for an electric switch designated generally at H. The switch II is shown as comprising a supporting bracket l2 mounted on the front wall of the Any rubber-like material,will serve.

housing III by bolts and nuts l3. The bracket I0 provides the support for the stator IQ of the switch. Cooperable with the stator is a switch rotor I also supported on they bracket l2. The stator M and rotor l5 carry suitable cooperative switch contacts, certain of which are designated at I8. An operating lever I1 is interconnected with the rotor l5 so that when the lever I1 is shifted the rotor I5 is oscillated or partially rotated to bring contacts of the rotor l5 into cooperative relation with contacts of the stator H. The switch H is only generally described inasmuch as its details per se form no part of the present invention.

The present invention resides in the provision of a combination switch handle and seal designated generally at 20. The switch handle and seal 20 is preferably constituted of rubber, rubber composition or some modern plastic composition.

The material should be such as to be waterproof, impervious to gas, or fumes and chemicallyinert. It'also must be suitably flexible or elastic. Preferably the combination switch handle and seal is molded from such material and when molded comprises a suitable plate-like base or panel 2|. The base or panel 2| is oblong, generally rectangular, although its ends may be curved or arouate. Centrally, the panel 2l has integrally formed therewith a plurality of pleats or folds end 26 of the shank or handle 25 is solid, but

the inner portion thereof is formed with a diametrical slot 21 shaped to receive and frictionally grip the switch lever H. The interengagemerit between the slotted portion 21 of the handle 25 and the switch lever I! may be enhanced'by the provision of notches or keyways' 28 in the switch handle and corresponding protuberances or. keys 29 integrally formed with the walls of the slot 21. I

. ment of the handle and lever.

, In the, assembly the panel or base II is interposed and compressed between the bracket II and thelfront wall of the housing I while the pleats or folds and shank or handle project through an opening it in the front wall of the housing Ill. The bolts and nuts Il may also be utilized to secure the combination switch and handle 20 in position and in sealing relation to the switch H and its housing I 0. The bolts of the bolts and nuts I! pass through openings It in the panel or base 2 I. These openings l3 preferably having a diameter slightly less than the outside diameter of the shanks of the bolts [3 so that in the assembly the material of which the panel 2i is constituted is self-packing with respect to the bolts and nuts It. When the bolts and nuts l3 are tightened up, they compress the panel 2| between them and effect an hermetic seal.

When the switch is operated, the operator grasps the handle 25 and shifts the same in one direction or the other. Upon shifting of the handle from the position shown in Figure 1 to the position shown in Figure2, for example, the pleats or folds 22 merely flex or unfold. They are not stretched'or elastically distorted. Hence they do not oppose the movement of the switch. The operator consequently has complete control over the shifting of the switch. Furthermore, the material of which the combination switch handle and seal is constituted is not stretched or subjected to fatiguing stresses or strains.

While I have shown and described one c0nstruction in which the invention may be advantageously embodied, it is to be understood that the construction shown has been selected merely for the purpose of illustration or example, and that various changes in the size, shape, and arrangement of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In combination with a switch housing having an opening in the wall thereof, a switch supported within the housing and having a switch lever projecting through and beyond said opening, a, combination switch handle and seal constituted of flexible, molded material and comprising a platelike base bridging the opening of the housing to afford a seal and closure therefor, a pleated formation integral with the base and projecting outwardly therefrom, and a handle integral with the pleated formation and projecting outwardly therefrom, said handle having a slot extending lengthwise and out through the inner end thereof, said switch lever being snugly fitted in said slot in surface-to-surface engagement with and frictionally gripped by the walls thereof.

2. In combination with a switch housing having an opening in the wall thereof, a switch supported within the housing and having a switch lever projecting through and beyond said opening, a combination switch handle and seal constituted of flexible, molded material and comprising a plate-like base bridging the opening of the housing to afford a seal and closure therefor, a flexible formation integral with the base, and a handle integral with the flexible formation and projecting outwardly therefrom, said handle having an opening therein extending lengthwise and out through the inner end thereof, said switch lever being fltted in said opening, said switch lever and said handle having interlocking formations to prevent positively relative axial move- 3. In combination with a switch housing having an opening in the wall thereof, a switch supported within the housing and having a switch lever projecting through and beyond said opening, a combination switch handle and seal constituted of flexible, molded material and comprising a plate-like base bridging the opening of the housing to afford a seal and closure therefor, a pleated formation integral with the base and projecting outwardly therefrom, and a handle integral with the pleated formation and projecting outwardly therefrom, said handle having a slot extending lengthwise and out through the inner end thereof, said switch lever being snugly fitted in said slot in surface-to-surface engagement with and frictionally gripped by the walls thereof, the portion of a switch lever located within the confines of the slot having at least one keyway and said handle having an integral key interfltted with said keyways.

4. In combination with a switch housing having an opening in the wall thereof, a switch supported within the housing and having a switch lever projecting through and beyond said opening, a combination switch handle and seal constituted oi. flexible, molded material and comprising a flat, plate-like body bridging the open ing of the housing to afford a closure and seal therefor, a pleated formation integral with said body and projecting outwardly thereof, said pleated formation being constituted of a plurality of elastically set, concentric, reversely folded and radially spaced pleats, the body portions of the pleats being of cylindrical form, and a handle integral with the pleated formation and surrounding and closely fitting the switch lever and also being positively interlocked therewith.

5. As an article of manufacture, a combination switch handle and seal constituted of a flexible, molded material and comprising a sealing base panel, a pleated formation integral with the base panel, and a handle integral with the pleated formation, said handle being solid save for a lengthwise opening therein extending out through the inner end thereof, said opening being dimensioned and proportioned to fit over a switchoperator with its inner peripheral wall attached to the switch lever throughout the entire extent of said wall.

6. As an article of manufacture, a combination switch handl and seal constituted of a flexible, molded material and comprising a sealing base panel, a pleated formation integral with the base panel and a handle integral with the pleated formation and projecting outwardly therefrom, said handle having an opening therein extending lengthwise and out through the inner end thereof, the peripheral wall of said opening having interlocking formations adapted to interlock positively with corresponding interlocking formations of a switch-operator to prevent relative axial movement of the handle and operator.

'7. As an article of manufacture, a combination switch handle and seal constituted of a flexible, molded material and comprising a sealing base panel, a pleated formation integral with the base panel and a handle integral with the pleated formation and projecting outwardly therefrom, said handle having an opening therein extending lengthwise and out through the inner end thereof, said opening being of non-uniform internal diameter and being dimensioned and proportioned to flt over a switch-operator or corresponding form with its peripheral wall in close surface-toradially spaced pleats, and a handle integral with the pleat formation and projecting outwardly therefrom, said handle having an opening therein and extending lengthwise and out through the inner end thereof; said opening being adapted to fit over and interlock with a switch operator.

women D. BULLERJAHN. 

